The Dillon tribune., 1887-09-02
THE CONSIDERATION OF ST. JAMES
CHURCH.
4 brief History of the Churcl.-Thc Com
secratins Ceremony.

\ Brief History of the Churc,.-Thc Com
secrating Ceremony.
Something over five years ago, in the
spring Of 1857, work was begun on an Epis.
copal church in Dillon. Arrangements
had been made for it nearly two wears
previously, when Dillon hardly had other
existence than in prospect. During the
last visitation that Bishop Tu,tle made in
this Territory he appointed Missionary
Committee in the region hercabouts, and
then or soon afterwards subscription lis,
was started to provide funds for church
building, headed with seven $Ioo subscrip.
tions. This was the condition when Bish-
op Brewer assumed charge Of the work of
the Episcopal Church in Montana in Feb.
ruary, 1851. He found here few earnest
and willing people, who desired services
| and the erection Of suitable house Of
worship. A Mission was at once commenc-
ed, being placed under the charge Of the
missionary at Virginia City, nearly fifty
| miles away. Far as he was away from Dill
Ion, he was yet the nearest ono. Tho ser.
vices were carried on for year at the rate
| Of one Sunday month, being held at first
! in the old school house, (now the Court
House,) and afterwards in the Methodist
Church.
Meanwhile the strength Of the congre.
CATION increased little by little, and the
need that they should have their own house
of worship grew more urgent The sub.
scription list was enlarged, generous gift
Of $500, gathered by lady in New York,
was made available, and as was stated
above, in the spring of ,SS: work on the
structure was begun. Lots were given by
the Dillon tcwnsite company, on the corner
Of Idaho and Eannack streets. On July I'd
the corner. stone OF st. James Church was
laid BY the Rev. E. G. Prout, missionary in
charge, assisted by The Rev. e. .. Tillotson,
Of Butte, and an interested congregation.
The church was opened for Divine wor.
ship in November Of the same year by
Bishop Brewer.
| AANS IhN N"uSAtS No\s uAOtI CS q uCOlS dS
the cost had been more than was anticipa.
| ted. So the consecration could not be had
at once. Not until u few months since
could the debt be entirely removed, and the
church be formally set apart for its holy
purposes. But patience and perseverance,
have brought their reward and the church
has been freed from its harden.
Last Wednesday, August 81, was ap.
pointed as tho day when the hope Of years
should find realization in the conservation
Of st. James Church. The morning was
somewhat cloudy and chccrlcss, yet q
goodly congregation gathered a. the sum.
mons OF the swcct.tonctl bell The Mis-.
sionary Convocation had just been in ses
sion at Butte, and the larger part Of the
clergy gathered there came down for this
ceremony. At 1890 the procession o.
clergy advanced to the door Of the church
where they were received by representa-
ton OF the Church Committee, and ther
marched up. the aisle 10 the chancci, re-
} peating the twcn:y.fourth Psalm. The
church was then solemn!y consecrated b,
Bishop Brewer, the Instrument Of Dona
ton and Request to Consecratc being reae
BY tho Rev. 5. ID. Hooker, rector Of ths
} church, and the Sentence Of Conservation
by the Rev. +. r. Webb, Of Helena. TIL.
other visiting clergy were the Rev. Vim
Horsfall, Of Miles City, the Rev. II. f
Cloves, Of Fort Benton, the Rev. ]. w
Van lngcn, Of Helena, the Rev. A. Il
Howard, Of Deer Lodge, and the Rev. T.
G. Prout, Of Virginia City. Morning Pray
or and the Holy Communion followed
forming part Of the conservation service
The conservation sermon was preached b,
Rev. Mr.. Prout, the first Rector oil tn.
! Parish And so ended most pleasing
: and ENJOYABLE ceremony, TO the congrcga
ton OF ST. James Church the long desired
contamination of several years Of paticn
waiting and earnest work.
Harold i. Schcs,ct< rarllunett.